BROOKINGS, S.D.(WNAX)- The South Dakota legislature this year set aside three million dollars to improve the water quality in the Big Sioux River.

Jay Gilbertson, manager of the East Dakota Water Development District in Brookings, says the state made a bid to use that money for federal matching money.

The state had applied for a nine-million-dollar federal grant.

Gilbertson says the state plan is to use the money on buffer strips near creeks and rivers in the watershed.

Gilbertson says the funding focus needs to stay on the Big Sioux River.

Gilbertson says they have seen areas with buffers in place where the water quality has improved